Police: Seized Viagra was headed to Shirley prison

By Aaron Curtis, acurtis@lowellsun.com

Posted:
08/08/2018 08:04:21 AM EDT

The Shirley Police Department released a photo on their Facebook page showing Viagra pills, along with other contraband, including cartons of cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol and other items, seized during the traffic stop. SHIRLEY POLICE PHOTO

SHIRLEY -- A large quantity of Viagra pills turned up during a motor vehicle stop in Shirley on Monday were about to be smuggled into MCI-Shirley, according to police.

However, according to Elizabeth Vlock, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, the investigation into where 31-year-old Christopher Bartolomey intended to distribute the pills remains ongoing.

Bartolomey, of Acushnet, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class E substance and violating drug laws near a school or park, Vlock said in an email Tuesday.

The motor vehicle stop occurred Monday about 5 a.m., when a Shirley police officer observed a speeding car, driven by 38-year-old Stephanie Silva, of New Bedford, according to Vlock. Silva was turning off of Harvard Road onto Shaker Road near the medium security prison.

The officer pulled the car over and was given permission to search the vehicle by Silva, according to Vlock. The Littleton Police Department K-9 Unit assisted at the scene.

"A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in authorities locating bags that belonged to Bartolomey," Vlock stated. "Authorities allegedly found within the bags a large quantity of Viagra pills that the defendant did not have a prescription for in packaging that indicated it was for distribution."

The Shirley Police Department released a photo on their Facebook page showing the Viagra pills, along with other contraband, including cartons of cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol and other items, seized during the traffic stop.

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The post states that the motor vehicle stop prevented the contraband from being "distributed to the prison."

Vlock and Shirley police stated that the investigation remains ongoing.

Bartolomey was arraigned Monday in Ayer District Court, where Judge Margaret Guzman ordered him released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to reappear in court on Sept. 26.

Silva was charged with possession of a Class E substance. Guzman dismissed her case upon payment of $300 in court costs, according to Vlock.

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